Did you know that Bowling and an alley called The All Star Bowling Lane played a pivotal  in the Civil Rights movement? It was  Orangeburg, South Carolina's only bowling alley and by 1968 was still segregated. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had made its way through most of the state, requireing buisnesses to integreate. Local black leaders and members of the white buisness community had tried to convince the All Start Bowling Lane to allow everyone to bowl.  They had even taken their efforts to the US Justice Department.

All Stars arguement was that they were actually not covered by the Act and the local leaders reminded them that All Star had a snack bar and was covered in the Act b y the interstate commerce provision in the public accomidations section. On Monday, February 6th 1968 a group of black students from a nearby college put the alley to the test and came to bowl. They were refused but then the students wouldn't leave. The next night, more students arrived and the police were called. Fifteen were arrested but on February 8th, 300 students made their way to the parking lot of the All Star Lanes and were met by 100 local, county, and state law enforcement officers.

It was the same scenario that the students had seen countless times, unfortunately. As the students attempted to get into the building, the officers met them with batons. The Governor mobilized the National Guard unit as the students dispersed and caused damage to cars and stores on the way back to the colleges. Then on the campus of South Carolina State College there was a confrontation where black student and police clashed where 3students were killed and 27 were injured.

The confrontation between students and police was the most violent incident in South Carolina's civil rights history. It became known as the "Orangeburg Massacre." Both events, at All Star Bowling Lanes and South Carolina State College  were typical of the tense times in the period leading up to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1968. It was so brave of those students at that time to even go bowling. Amazing that they even tried. There are so many people to thank for all of our freedoms. We are free to pursue anything. Even free to bowl!